Detroit, MI – Nov. 1, 2012 – Detroit’s Central United Methodist Church will host its 8th Annual Peace & Justice Banquet on Sunday, December 2, at 4 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

Co-chaired by distinguished Civil Rights attorneys William Goodman and Amos E. Williams, the banquet will feature Keynote Speaker Michelle Alexander, noted author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” called “an instant classic” and “a grand wake-up call in the midst of a long slumber of indifference to the poor and vulnerable” by Cornel West.

In addition, Central UMC will present 2012 Peace & Justice Awards to:

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, parents of Trayvon Martin and founders of the Trayvon Martin Foundation; Sr. Florence Deacon, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and the late Ethel Schwartz, prominent Gray Panthers and Labor activist. The evening also will include a VIP Reception, live entertainment, and a silent auction.

At 202, Central UMC has a long and rich history of crusading for the rights of those often ignored or overlooked by society. It has been recognized for working against racism, promoting peace, feeding the homeless, providing access to health care, and welcomes all people regardless of socio-economic status, race, religion, gender identification or sexuality.